Oklahoma AG: Agency Broke Open Meeting Act

Wednesday

Aug 6, 2014 at 11:50 AM

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office says an agency that oversees the workers compensation system has violated the state’s Open Meeting Act and needs to take remedial steps to correct the violations.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office says an agency that oversees the workers compensation system has violated the state’s Open Meeting Act and needs to take remedial steps to correct the violations.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Sandra Rinehart told the Workers Compensation Commission Wednesday a review of the agency’s actions since November revealed numerous violations of the act, which requires activities by public agencies to be conducted in public.

The violations involved private discussions with a potential vendor, executive sessions where budgetary and personnel matters were discussed and the termination of 16 workers. Rinehart says remedial action includes beginning anew the process of terminating the workers.

Officials say previous advice given to the panel about compliance with the act was incorrect. The assistant attorney general who provided the advice was fired.